Brescia Mannlicher Carcano Model 91 24 Bolt Action Rifle

Carbines and rifles used by Italian forces in the First World
War were refurbished for service in the next conflict. SN
RA08687

The Carcano rifle action was jointly developed by Lt. Col.
Salvatore Carcano and Col. G. Parravicino at the Torino Arms
Factory in Turin, Italy. This turnbolt 6-shot repeating action,
featuring dual locking lugs on the front of the bolt, is a copy of
the Mauser Model 89, but it employs a single-column magazine of
Mannlicher design. Initially adopted in 1891, the simple but rugged
Carcano rifles and carbines were the mainstay of the Italian Army
for over 54 years and saw service in both World Wars. Over 54
million have been produced.

The original Carcano design was chambered for the 6.5mm Carcano
cartridge, which was one of the first small-caliber smokeless
military cartridges to be adopted by a major military power. Model
1891 Carcano rifles and carbines remained in production through the
end of the Second World War. The carbine variant employed a
permanently-attached folding bayonet, while the rifle mounted a
standard knife bayonet. In 1938, Italy adopted a new, larger
caliber 7.35mm Carcano cartridge, which was based on the 6.5mm
Carcano case but with an expanded neck to accommodate the larger
bullet. The M38 rifle and carbine entered production during this
period, but Italy's involvement in the Second World War precluded
large-scale adoption of the new arms.

Consequently, the 7.35mm cartridge and chambering were both
dropped in favor of the original 6.5mm design, and many M38 long
arms were re-barreled in 6.5mm. A special 6-shot cartridge clip
must be used with the Carcano action. Either full- or
partially-loaded clips may be inserted through the open action.
When the clip is pressed down fully on the follower, a
spring-loaded catch located in the rear of the box magazine secures
the clip in place. After all cartridges have been fired, the empty
clip drops out through the open bottom of the magazine. The Carcano
clip accommodated either the 6.5mm Carcano or the 7.35mm Carcano
cartridge. Without a clip, the rifle can only be used as a
single-shot arm. This was a severe handicap if clips were lost or
unavailable.

Carcano arms were produced in Italy by the Italian Small Arms
Arsenal at Terni, and at the National Arms Factory in Brescia.
Additional examples were also manufactured by P. Beretta in
Gardone, Italy. In addition to Italian Army production, Carcanos
were also supplied to the Finnish Army during its war with the
Soviet Union during the Second World War. Some M38s were also
manufactured in 7.92mm caliber (8x57mm Mauser) for use by German
armed forces. A small-scale 6.5mm M 91 Carcano carbine, known as
the Italian or Fascist Youth Carbine, was produced as a boy's
training rifle. At the war's end, many former Italian Army Carcanos
found their way to the United States with returning servicemen as
trophies of war. Thousands more became available for sale as
surplus military arms.